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Mississippi College Hosts December Debate Tournament


Dr. Merle Ziegler and debate team members.

Should the United States put boots on the ground to fight terrorists in Syria? Did President Obama’s subpar job performance hurt the Democrats in the November congressional elections?

These are just a couple of the topics that Mississippi College debaters tackled at tournaments in recent weeks. The MC students hope to stay on top of news around the world as they prepare to host a two-day debate tournament on the Clinton campus December 5-6.

More than 60 debaters are expected to participate from schools like Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, Louisiana State University, the University of Arkansas, Bossier Parish Community College, Middle Tennessee State University and Lee College.

MC debaters like Cierra Bailey, Andrew Rock, Eric Anderson and Alex Hendry hope to bring their “A game” to the table for the marathon of verbal sparring on the Clinton campus. A varsity debater from Ellisville, Hendry also serves as a debate coach for one of the private high schools in metro Jackson.

Mississippi College debate coach Merle Ziegler is encouraging MC students to watch the proceedings, support their classmates and assist at the two-day tournament.

“You can come and judge, and we would welcome you to join the team,” Ziegler said. Debate judges need no prior experience.

Prospective MC debaters don’t need to bring extensive experience. “They should have good persuasion skills,” Ziegler said.

As the MC debate draws closer, the communication professor asks members of his squad to do a great deal of reading and stay focused on important topics like the proposed Keystone Pipeline.

This fall, MC debaters traveled to tournaments in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. The team’s spring season will resume in late January.

For more information, contact Merle Ziegler at 601-925-3456 or mziegler@mc.edu.